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Not currently on display at the V&A

Candlestick

ca. 1683 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This candlestick, one of a pair, was originally part of a toilet service. Such sets were assemblies of silver objects for display and use while dressing. Some larger sets also included objects for writing and private dining.

Outside the wealthiest court circles, 17th-century silver was used primarily for eating and drinking. The dining table was the heart of social activity, and novelty items were made for fashionable new drinks flavoured with spices and drinking games. The range of British silver for the home from this period (the first for which a representative quantity survives) demonstrates increasing foreign influences from France, the Netherlands and Portugal. The rising demand for fashionably decorated European silver from the 1660s onwards reflects Britain's new wealth and political stability.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Raised and cast, chased and punched silver-gilt.
Brief description
Silver-gilt, England, ca.1683
Physical description
The candlesticks stands on an octagonal base, the centre supports a convex octagonal section, chased with foliage and swags of fruit; above is an inverted baluster stem and a cylindrical socket, chased with vertical leaves and a laurel wreath.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.8cm
  • Width: 13.3cm
  • Depth: 13.3cm
  • Weight: 560g
Scratch weight: 17 = 17 Updated with measurements taken 18/08/08
Marks and inscriptions
No marks
Gallery label
(Gallery 70, case 4) 1, 4. Candlesticks About 1683 These candlesticks were originally part of a toilet service, intended for use while dressing and for display. Some larger toilet sets included implements for writing and private dining. Probably England Gilded silver Museum nos. Loan:Gilbert.617, 618-2008(16/11/2016)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Earl of Lichfield, sale, Christie's, lot 118, April 26, 1972. Sale, Christie's, lot 176, November 22, 1978.
Summary
This candlestick, one of a pair, was originally part of a toilet service. Such sets were assemblies of silver objects for display and use while dressing. Some larger sets also included objects for writing and private dining.

Outside the wealthiest court circles, 17th-century silver was used primarily for eating and drinking. The dining table was the heart of social activity, and novelty items were made for fashionable new drinks flavoured with spices and drinking games. The range of British silver for the home from this period (the first for which a representative quantity survives) demonstrates increasing foreign influences from France, the Netherlands and Portugal. The rising demand for fashionably decorated European silver from the 1660s onwards reflects Britain's new wealth and political stability.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Associated object
Bibliographic references
  • Christie's, Review of the Season 1972. London: Hutchinson, p. 183
  • Schroder, Timothy. The Gilbert collection of gold and silver. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1988, cat. no. 30, pp. 128-30. ISBN.0875871445
Other numbers
  • SG 133B - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.97 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • SG 122B - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.907 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.618-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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